Continental Drift

News started coming in thick and fast today of a major influx of White-fronted Geese across Central and Southern England and smaller numbers of Tundra Bean Geese in a brisk cold north east wind (there were 90 White-fronts and 7 Tundra Beans at Beddington today- an historical event). I had to get xmas shopping out the way before I could get out but managed to get out in the afternoon. I headed over to Halseys Farm and walked to White's Creek scanning the fields and harbour for geese and then I went over to check Honer Farm and Marsh Farm. 

Alas my only encounter with wild geese were two rather distant birds going down on Honer Fields while I was at North Wall- through the scope in the brief view I had they looked like Bean Geese (there was no barring on the belly and they looked dark necked) but despite driving round Honer reservoir and the surrounding fields I failed to locate them to confirm. Hopefully they will get pinned down in the next day or two. 

However jamming into the ring-tail Hen Harrier thathad been found yesterday was adequate compensation- a peninsula tick for me. Also some nice general winter birding with 65 species of approx 7000 individuals HERE.

Juvenile Hen Harrier (above and below)

Brents over North Wall

Lapwings and Golden Plovers over the harbour 

Wigeon

Grey Plover

Curlews

Knot, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing 

30+ Fieldfare on Honer Road were presumably cold wind drift ins

Cattle Egrets